complaint·February 11, 2025

The director stated that she believes that during scheduled outdoor play time, one of the three children observed that the gate was ajar and made their way to the adjacent play yards with the two other children without staff\342\200\231s knowledge. The director stated that both play yards are fully fenced and do not have access to the public street. During the investigation, the LPA interviewed staff members S2-S4 on 12/20/24 and 01/08/25 to obtain additional information. Staff S2-S4 were on the playground supervising approximately 24 children from two classrooms at the time of the incident. Based on interviews, staff members estimated that C1-C3 were without staff supervision between five to fifteen minutes. Child C1-C3\342\200\231s primary teacher, S3 stated that she realized C1-C3 were missing after lining up the children from her class and performing a head count to transition inside. Staff S3 stated that she believed that the three children entered the building without her knowledge and returned to their classroom. Staff S3 stated that when she returned to her classroom with the other children, she observed that C1-C3 were not in the classroom. Staff S3 stated that she then notified other staff members, who assisted in searching for the three children. Staff S3 stated that C1-C3 were located on the toddler play yard \342\200\234within minutes.\342\200\235 Staff S3 stated that the three children were not in distress or upset when found. The director stated that this incident was reported to the authorized representatives of the children involved. This incident was not reported to Community Care Licensing as required per regulations. An Unusual Incident Report (UIR) was submitted on 12/21/24 by the center after the LPA\342\200\231s initial complaint investigation visit. Additionally, the director stated that C1-C3\342\200\231s primary teacher, S3 was issued a written warning on 12/06/24 and an all-staff training event was held on 12/28/24 to discuss the facility\342\200\231s care and supervision policies and the subject of active supervision. The director stated that she takes full responsibility for this incident occurring and for failing to report this incident to the Licensing agency. Based on information obtained from interviews during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the center director, Lisa Steindorf. Appeal rights were provided. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility for the next 12 months from the date of this report. Parents/guardians must sign form LIC 9224 to be kept in each child's file.